TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Books Product Category

The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Freres by TANGLEWOOD PRESS

This story serves up a delightful recipe for a children's book: take one adorable tale of Parisian mice who want to win the prize for the best cheese soup in France, add a full serving of the whimsical illustrations of Marie LeTourneau, mix in a dash of French language and a sprinkling of Parisian café culture, and voilà! We have The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Frères (Bistro of Seven Brothers). With many basic French words cleverly woven into the story, readers will absorb the language without even realizing it. There is a pronunciation guide at the front of the book, and directions in the back to this website for the famous cheese soup recipe! 7/30/2008 (Price: $15.95)

Beauty Day by TANGLEWOOD PRESS

Rosie doesn't think spending the day at work with Grandma will be any fun at all. But Rosie has the time of her life as she is initiated into the exotic and adventure-filled world of a hair salon. Girls will love reading about Rosie's adventures at the action-packed salon, from a home hair color gone wrong, to the mystery of a lost boy and a missing wig! 7/30/2008 (Price: $15.95)

Bongo Bi-Lingo Buddy Audio Coloring Booklet by BONGO CATS INC.

Keep children entertained with this audio coloring book. The story unfolds as kids color in the pages while listening to the audio playback, which is available in both English and Spanish. 7/30/2008 (Price: $7.49) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Where You Came From by SIMPLY READ BOOKS

In the sequel to the acclaimed picture book When You Were Small, curious little Henry has a new question for his parents: Where did I come from? His parents, trying to explain, come up with many hilarious and whimsical answers. Julie Morstad’s illustrations once again perfectly complement Sara O’Leary’s poetic prose. 7/29/2008 (Price: $16.95)

ABC Spook Show by SIMPLY READ BOOKS

From Apparitions to Zombies, creepy characters abound in this delightfully nightmarish ABC. Ryan Heshka’s eerie pop-art illustrations are reminiscent of old comics and monster movies. This book is a must-have for all who enjoy the uncanny and macabre. 7/29/2008 (Price: $12.95)

The Red Shoes by SIMPLY READ BOOKS

All of the shoes in the shoe store are plain and dull except for one pair: the apple red shoes, just waiting to be picked. The little girl knows that they are the shoes for her, but can she convince her mom? This cheerful tale is matched with charming illustrations that depict the fashions of the 1960s. 7/29/2008 (Price: $16.95)

Super Funny Faces by AM Productions

A set of 4 sticker books for making and remaking a hilarious variety of funny faces. These books are not just a random collection of heads with blank faces. Every book has a theme and every page is rich in content, ideas and cartoonish fantasies that little ones can at once understand. 7/24/2008

Children's Illustrated Dictionary by AM Productions

This book will quickly help beginning readers to recognize and understand the meaning of over 300 basic English words from A through Z. Each word is clearly defined and then used in one or more sample sentences. Lively, full color illustrations enhance the text. Each word has its own, easily recalled image. The 26 letters of the English alphabet are printed in sequence, in capitals and lower case, at the top of each page. Young children will thereby learn what a dictionary is and how to use it. Although designed for young children, this book will appeal to older children with reading difficulties and, of course, their teachers. 7/24/2008

Daily Mirror Sudoku Collection 1 by AM Productions

This book is packed full of popular Sudoku and other number puzzles. The 104 puzzles in this book are licensed Daily Mirror* puzzles and their solutions. The solutions are printed at the back of the book. You will find classic Sudoku puzzles at 4 levels of difficulty – easy, medium, hard & fiendishly hard. Other number games include: Figig, Figure Out, Number Crunch, Cross-Sums, 12-Number Sudoku, Godoku and Pyramid. The rules for these games are given in the book. (*Daily Mirror is a major British newspaper) 7/24/2008

Nita Mehta's Cookbooks - Indian Cooking by AM Productions

Nita Mehta is a Home Science graduate from Lady Irwin College, Delhi University and a Gold Medalist in M.Sc.. (Food & Nutrition). She has authored more than 200 best selling cookery books. Her book “Flavors of Indian Cooking” won the Best Asian Cookbook Award at the Versailles (Paris) World Cookbook Fair. Nita Mehta has been conducting extremely popular cooking classes for over 20 yrs. Her cooking institute – Nita Mehta Culinary Academy has trained many aspiring individuals into expert cooks. 7/24/2008

Lonely Heart: The Art of Tara McPherson by DARK HORSE COMICS, INC.

The compelling paintings and posters of Tara McPherson are a tour-de-force of creative tension, at once heartfelt and heartbreaking. Creating art about people and their odd ways, recalling many issues from childhood and adult life experience, McPherson creates images that are thought-provoking and seductive. Tara's array of work includes numerous gig posters for rock bands, including Green Day, Modest Mouse, and Death Cab for Cutie, and advertising and editorial illustrations for a diverse group of clients. Her prints and paintings have been exhibited in galleries all over the world. Lonely Heart is the first printed collection of McPherson's work. 7/22/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed by DARK HORSE COMICS, INC.

LucasArts' game The Force Unleashed, is poised to be the Star Wars event of the year. Revealed in this story are the origins of Darth Vader's secret apprentice, the deadly missions on which he was sent to track down and destroy Jedi, and the awesome decision he is forced to make that will, literally, change the way you look at the Star Wars saga! 7/22/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Long Way Home by DARK HORSE COMICS, INC.

Since the destruction of the Hellmouth, the Slayers-newly legion-have gotten organized and are kicking some serious undead butt. But not everything's fun and firearms, as an old enemy reappears and Dawn experiences some serious growing pains. Meanwhile, one of the "Buffy" decoy slayers is going through major pain of her own. Buffy creator Joss Whedon brings Buffy back to Dark Horse in this direct follow-up to season seven of the smash-hit TV series. The bestselling and critically acclaimed issues 1-5 are collected here for the first time, as are their covers by Jo Chen and Georges Jeanty. 7/22/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hellboy Volume 1: Seed of Destruction by DARK HORSE COMICS, INC.

Dark Horse presents new editions of the entire Hellboy line with new covers, beginning with Seed of Destruction, the basis of director Guillermo del Toro's blockbuster films. Hellboy is one of the most celebrated comics series in recent years. The ultimate artists' artist and a great storyteller whose work is in turns haunting, hilarious, and spellbinding. Mike Mignola has won numerous awards in the comics industry and beyond. When strangeness threatens to engulf the world, a strange man will come to save it. Sent to investigate a mystery with supernatural overtones, Hellboy discovers the secrets of his own origins, and his link to the Nazi occultists who promised Hitler a final solution in the form of a demonic avatar. 7/22/2008 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shark by PENGUIN GROUP USA

Did you know that there are over 350 kinds of sharks? They might have a scary reputation, but you can find the truth about these fearsome fish by opening these jaws and reading the board book inside! 7/21/2008 (Price: $6.99)

Corduroy's Alphabet Hunt by PENGUIN GROUP USA

What do you get when you combine everyone’s favorite bear with a board book that also houses 12 touch-and-feel ABC flashcards in a resealable box? You get an exciting, unique format that will teach the letters of the alphabet and simple words in a way no one has done before! 7/21/2008 (Price: $9.99)

Funny Faces Mad Art by PENGUIN GROUP USA

Mad Art is the newest extension of Mad Libs. But instead of "fill in the blanks," it's "fill in the picture!" Each spread features simple rebus text and then a picture where kids can draw in silly features. Give a fireman a wacky hat or draw a portrait of yourself with hilarious hair! 7/21/2008 (Price: $5.99)

Skippyjon Jones and the Treasure Hunt by PENGUIN GROUP USA

Read, flip, and find with Skippyjon Jones! Skippyjon Jones fans will go loco over this brandnew matching game format! Skippyjon Jones has found a treasure map, and you can help find the treasure by flipping over the correct bilingual tiles in the pop-up matching game included with the book. 7/21/2008 (Price: $9.99)

Windy by SIMPLY READ BOOKS

In the first of a new series about the ongoing idylls of a little doll and her friends, whimsy is wrapped in a fresh, modern look. It's a wonderful windy day and perfect for Windy's favorite activity — flying her big, blue kite. When the wind blows her kite away, she sets off to find it through artfully photographed cut-and-folded paper landscapes. Each book in the series will highlight an activity from the story with complete and simple instructions on the inside jacket cover (in Windy's case, how to make and fly a kite). The pictures and stories are perfect for small children, with playful maps to trace each adventure and great ideas for things to do and make. 7/21/2008 (Price: $15.95)

Sunny by SIMPLY READ BOOKS

Sunny wakes up on a bright, summer morning to the familiar sounds of his wonderful world. Inspired by what they hear, he and his friends decide to invent their own playful brand of music. Before long, the happy children get down to a hootennanny time. The puppet figures designed and photographed by Mitchell and Steedman have a fresh, modern style. Clear, primary colors and charming line drawings add to the simple delight they give to children. 7/21/2008 (Price: $15.95)

Snowy & Chinook by SIMPLY READ BOOKS

In this third book in Robin Mitchell and Judith Steedman’s popular Windy series, Snowy and Chinook are planning a birthday party for their friend Tulip on a cold winter morning. The puppet figures who tell the story, designed by the authors and photographed by Mia Cunningham, have a fresh and modern style. Clear, primary colors, charming line drawings, and simple text make this a fun book for the very young. 7/21/2008 (Price: $15.95)

When You Were Small by SIMPLY READ BOOKS

Each night Henry asks his dad to tell him about when he was small, and his father relates how very small he really was: …we used to give you baths in the teapot… and …we took the toy castle out of the aquarium and you were king of it. The minimal text is accompanied by delicate illustrations. A lovely title to share one on one, and sure to start many family rituals. 7/21/2008 (Price: $16.95)

The Day It All Blew Away by SIMPLY READ BOOKS

Surrounded by hat-tippers who are always tipping their hats and shunning those who don't return the favor, poor Mr. Tadaa has a head too big for his hat. Even worse, the Little Person's hat is so big it wears him. One blustery day, Mr. Tadaa's hat and the Little Person are blown away by the wind... and right into each other! A surprise twist at the end shows that even in a world of hat-tippers, nonconformists can find happiness and friendship. 7/21/2008 (Price: $16.95)

One Little Bug by SIMPLY READ BOOKS

Bugs climb on top of each other from one to ten until the last bug — a tiny flea — topples the pile. Then off they go home, one by one, except for the first little bug, who waits patiently until the next time the reader opens the book. This happy, silly book is perfect for children who are new to numbers and simple sums. Bold graphics and bright colors excite the eye and make the book's lessons fun. 7/21/2008 (Price: $15.95)

Peas and Love for Grandkids by MARY MEYER CORP.

Gently Spoken, publisher of the successful “Eat Your Peas” gift books, has teamed with the Mary Meyer Corporation, an award-winning manufacturer of quality stuffed toys, to create Peas and Love for Grandkids, a gift package that combines a Food for Thought Mary Meyer plush pea and the “Eat Your Peas” gift book, Eat Your Peas for Grandkids.  The gift package features an “Eat Your Peas” gift book and 10" x 4" x 3" Food for Thought plush pea pod that zips open to find three 2" diameter funny-faced plush peas. The new Peas and Love gift packages also include: Peas and Love for New Moms, Peas and Love for Daughters and Peas and Love for the Holidays. Launch date: 2008. 7/8/2008 (Price: $30.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]